Aide: McCain's Strong In "Real" Virginia

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A top aide to John McCain said Saturday the Republican presidential nominee still has a strong chance of winning the state because of his support in "real Virginia," the downstate areas far removed in distance and political philosophy from the more liberal northern part of the state.

"As a proud resident of Oakton, Va., I can tell you that the Democrats have just come in from the District of Columbia and moved into northern Virginia," McCain senior adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer said on MSNBC. "And that's really what you see there. But the rest of the state, real Virginia, if you will, I think will be very responsive to Sen. McCain's message."

Program host Kevin Corke asked Pfotenhauer if she wanted to retract the comment, prompting her to reply, "I mean 'real Virginia' because northern Virginia is where I've always been, but 'real Virginia' I take to be the _ this part of the state that is more Southern in nature, if you will. Northern Virginia is really metro D.C."

Earlier this month, McCain's brother, Joe, told those at an event for the Republican nominee that two Democratic-leaning areas in Northern Virginia, Arlington and Alexandria, were "communist country." He quickly apologized and called the remark a joke.

The senator's campaign headquarters is in Arlington, as is the home he uses while in Washington. McCain also attended high school in Alexandria.

Northern Virginia is the most populous in the state, so if McCain considers it enemy territory, he would have to run up large margins in the Hampton Roads and less populated areas of Virginia to win on Election Day. During a rally in the Washington suburb of Woodbridge, Va., on Saturday, McCain noted that his first posting in the Navy was in coastal Norfolk.

Democrats not only control the Virginia governor's office, but Democrat Jim Webb succeeded in 2006 in ousting Republican Sen. George Allen. Veteran Sen. John Warner, R-Va., is retiring this year and former Democratic Gov. Mark Warner is vying with former Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore to succeed him.

The popularity of Mark Warner has led some to suggest he may boost Democrat Barack Obama's chances, rather than the opposite.

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One recent poll showed McCain trailing Obama by up to 8 percentage points in the Old Dominion, but political analysts believe the race may be closer. McCain was making a push to hold onto Virginia, which President Bush won in 2004.

Besides his rally in Woodbridge, McCain's campaign was launching a downstate bus tour on Sunday with Todd Palin, the husband of his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

One of those attending McCain's rally said she wasn't sure about the geographical split of the state.

"I just hope that the state of Virginia will continue to support and continue to be a red state," said 45-year-old Diane Fuller of Manassas.

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On the Net:

McCain campaign: http://www.johnmccain.com/

Obama campaign: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Comments

[Svetsxpres]

how is the rest of Virginia the real Virginia? Northern Virginia brings in more then 50% of Virginia's yearly revenue. We provide most of the jobs and everyone from "real virginia" drives in to work here. The McCain camp needs to be more cautious about what they say, because even though VA hasnt voted democratic since 1964, this might just be the year!

[harriettubman]

Alexandria is a very expensive area to live. I don't know how McCain's brother can call it "communist" country. Will the REAL VA please vote? LOL...

[adl]

I'm here in VA. Not sure if I'm in the "real" or "fake" part, but I'm voting for Obama and so many people turned out for his rally in Fredericksburg a few weeks ago that they had to turn people away. And, Fredericksburg is supposed to be mostly Republican.

[Donde]

"As a proud resident of Oakton, Va., I can tell you that the Democrats have just come in from the District of Columbia and moved into northern Virginia," McCain senior adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer said on MSNBC.

So Washington, DC, the Capital of the United States and home to approximately 700 thousand people is not part of “Real” America.

Well, given that DC pays taxes and has no representation in Congress I guess that’s true – but I don’t for a moment think that is what Ms. Pfotenhauer is referring to.

[FanofPaine]

Republicans seem to be taking the fact that VA is increasingly becoming more blue to heart. I mean George Allen has invited people to the real America and now Nancy seems to have not realize that all people located in the state of Virginia are Virginians. Born and raised in VA, I'm thrilled with the shift.

Obama can win this. I talked with my aunt in hopewell today about encouraging friends and co-workers to vote Obama. I spent six and a half hours yesterday GOTV in central va. and Obama has a bit of support here where I imagine republicans would be shocked. Mark Warner is helping a ton. And the Obama office is so full around here all the time that they are finally separating the areas around here and giving my county and another county their own offices come tomorrow. THAT should not be happening in the "real Virginia". There is some serious racism here, just yesterday someone's signs were vandalized with racial epithets and others' signs have been stolen, but that just seems to motivate people more here.

[DeniseForObama]

Exactly where is "real" virginia? I must be looking on the anti-american map, because I don't see REAL Virigina.

[DeniseForObama]

Exactly where is "real" virginia? Is it in the pro-American part of Virginia that Ms. Palin likes to visit and where Ms. Bachmann and her fascist friend conduct patriotism investigations. I must be looking on the anti-american map, because I don't see REAL Virigina.

[Tobiasism]

Spent four hours today in a GOTV effort for Obama.

Great support here in Virginia.

Much early voting going on.

[FanofPaine]

I spent six and half hours yesterday on the GOTV in VA, probably part of the "real Virginia" Nancy is talking about and it seem that Obama is gaining votes in places where he shouldn't be. Is he going to win this area, no. Does he need to win this area? No. Jim Webb didn't win this area, but he racked up enough votes to buoy northern VA and richmond and charlottesville. That's all Obama needs to do.

Remind all Obama supporters to get their butts out and vote in VA. Vote now if they think they can't stand the long lines come Nov. 4th.

[GwenD]

No one from his campaign should be allowed to speak.

[zenwhenicanbe2]

Well maybe McCain will win the election in "real" America...­but this Virginian is voting for Obama in plain old AMERICA!
And I belong to the NRA...how do you like that?!

VOTE FOR CHANGE!

[tyger]

I checked the map of Virginia twice but was unable to find Real, Virginia. Maybe I have an old map

[AxelDC]

It seems to me that "real" is a euphemism for "dumass" among Conservatives.

Take out any interesting or innovative part of Virginia and you are left with "real" Virginia. Meanwhile, the economic, cultural and intellectual dynamos of the state are in the "fake" Viriginia: NOVA, Richmond and the Tidewater.

As long as Republicans continue to denounce education and progress, they are going to become the backwater dinosaur party, and be left to the political wilderness.

[noir]

IDIOTIC!!!

[sharri]

I don't know what real Virginia is, but I think I know what real St Louis is and we proved that yesterday.

[Pupster]

Arizona, the esteemed senator's home state, is now toss-up! Go to it, people!!!